asked the Minister for Transport and Power the approximate amount of money spent on advertising on television, radio and press asking people to use energy wisely.
15.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Energy Conservation Campaign.
14.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if the successful campaign for the conservation of energy in this country will result in increasing prices on such commodities as electricity; and, if so, whether the campaign is justified.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.
The publicity campaign conducted during the first three months of this year with the object of promoting conservation of energy in the home cost approximately £150,000, which included the cost of production of advertisements, posters and brochures, as well as the cost of advertising space on radio, television, Press, etc.
The increase in electricity prices is due to a number of factors including the increase in oil prices, the effects of general inflation and the reduction in the growth of demand resulting from the economic situation, the relatively mild winter and the efforts of consumers to eliminate waste. In so far as the energy conservation campaign reduces consumption it may have a marginal effect on the current unit cost of electricity but this would be more than offset by the reduction in fuel costs. I am fully satisfied that the campaign to promote the efficient use of all fuels and the elimination of waste in energy consumption is necessary and that the expenditure of £150,000 on the campaign is well justified.
With the present price of energy surely the Minister agrees it is ridiculous to spend £150,000 on a campaign asking people to burn energy wisely when it appears that people burn energy wisely anyway? Would not it be better spent endeavouring to provide funds with which to extract the energy from the bogs of Ireland and in providing grants to local authorities to do so, which they have not got at present?
The Deputy is developing an argument rather than asking a relevant supplementary question.
It is very relevant, Sir.
The Deputy is engaging in argument.
When I say three words I know the Chair will tell me all about it. However——
The Deputy is allowed plenty of latitude by the Chair and he knows it.
Certainly, I am not.
It is very difficult to please everybody.
Would the Minister not consider that this money would have been better spent extracting the energy out of bogs than on a campaign asking people to burn energy wisely, when it is dear enough and they are burning it wisely anyway?
I consider the campaign was well worthwhile, particularly in view of the results.
Could the Minister tell me by what percentage the cost of electricity has risen in the last 12 months, or for a convenient 12-month period?
There was a 16 per cent rise in July last year. There was a 14 per cent rise in the billing period May-June this year, that is, the bills being issued from July next.
Can the Minister explain to me—perhaps the computers made a mistake—why my one month bill now is double my two months one formerly?
The Deputy should be reasonable. I think the ESB have something like——
(Interruptions.)
A million customers, and Deputy Lemass——
(Interruptions.)
Who are all asking the same question.
Would the Minister not agree that a campaign such as that to conserve energy, and particularly electricity, resulting in a decrease in demand and an increase in price, is no longer likely to commend itself to the Irish people?
Pardon, I am sorry.
Would the Minister not agree that any future campaign such as this to conserve energy and which, possibly because of its success, has resulted in a decrease in demand and a consequent increase in price is no longer likely to commend itself to the Irish people?
As I explained last night, the increase in price attributable to the conservation campaign conducted by my Department is less than 1 per cent.
That is just not true.
The increase in price should have been only 1 per cent.
(Interruptions.)